Port Orleans Riverside Q&A Thread 2013, Part One [Thread now FULL and closed]

[TK27]

Here now no RFID bracelets. They are talking late spring right from the senior cast members mouth!

Not yet, they will be phased in across property though. I seem to recall AKL might be one of the first hotels to get them? Port Orleans won't be until maybe May time though, although a lot depends on how the final testing goes (it's already been pushed back a month or so). There are still some teething problems with the touch-to-pay terminals for example - and if you only have a wristband, I guess there's no manual 'swipe' backup option any more.

When they do arrive though, if you've pre-registered online they will come already boxed up ready for your whole room - and everyone will have their own individually named bands. Super cute!

Of course, with the probability of no turnstiles any more very soon, I wonder how they'll count people back out of the parks...?

Andre

The wristbands aren't out yet. Keep an eye on the theme park board as there will be a bazillion threads about it when they are finally spotted...

Thanks for the information. We'll be arriving May 24, I'm kind of hoping they're rolled out by then.

 

[alhurricane]

Here now no RFID bracelets. They are talking late spring right from the senior cast members mouth!

Will be watching closely since we will be there in late May/early June. It could be quite the learning curve for first timers like ourselves. Glad I follow this board!

 

[BMC423]

Here now no RFID bracelets. They are talking late spring right from the senior cast members mouth!

Thanks for the info will have to keep an eye out for this.

Not yet, they will be phased in across property though. I seem to recall AKL might be one of the first hotels to get them? Port Orleans won't be until maybe May time though, although a lot depends on how the final testing goes (it's already been pushed back a month or so). There are still some teething problems with the touch-to-pay terminals for example - and if you only have a wristband, I guess there's no manual 'swipe' backup option any more.

When they do arrive though, if you've pre-registered online they will come already boxed up ready for your whole room - and everyone will have their own individually named bands. Super cute!

Of course, with the probability of no turnstiles any more very soon, I wonder how they'll count people back out of the parks...?

Andre

I think this is actually super cool! I hope we get to try them out in May!

 

[andrewilley]

I think this is actually super cool! I hope we get to try them out in May!

Another thing I just remembered is that you can have multiple magicbands (e.g. if you buy a new themed one later) and you can easily activate new ones via your online account. You will apparently even be able to switch them around if you wish, but only one can be your 'active' band at any given time.

What's the betting that Disney want these things to become the next Vinylmation, with special collectible and limited-edition versions being released before too long?

Andre

 

[Chuckers]

What's the betting that Disney want these things to become the next Vinylmation, with special collectible and limited-edition versions being released before too long?

Andre

Ya think??

I'm surprised they haven't figured out a way you can put your favorite pins on them...

 

[916chipndale]

When the bands come out, are they completely getting rid of the Key to the World card? I know nothing is official yet, but we are going in the summer and have just heard out about this idea.

 

[dsnydaddy]

When the bands come out, are they completely getting rid of the Key to the World card? I know nothing is official yet, but we are going in the summer and have just heard out about this idea.

I'll be sad to see the KTTW cards go away. My son has a collection of every KTTW, DL AP, and DCL card he has ever gotten.

 

[andrewilley]

When the bands come out, are they completely getting rid of the Key to the World card?

You will still be able to opt for a traditional-style plastic keycard if you prefer (which will also need to be RFID-enabled so you can still use it to pay, get into parks, etc).

Andre

 

[Scott MC]

I'm an AP holder and would love to try the bands! Does POR now have the door locks where you just tap it with the card?

The other question I had has to do with me flipping through the Unofficial Guide to WDW last night. It said that the river view rooms in PP look at the river, but also the parking lot on the other side. Is this an exaggeration? Are there at least some trees/vegetation between the river and the parking lot?

 

[MomAndrea]

Can you take bracelet off, say to sleep, and put them back on? My 10 yr old has some sensory issues and won't love the bracelet but will have a very difficult time sleeping with it on.

 

[ckrisie]

Can you take bracelet off, say to sleep, and put them back on? My 10 yr old has some sensory issues and won't love the bracelet but will have a very difficult time sleeping with it on.

Yes. You do not have to sleep with them on. From my understanding you dont have to wear them all the time in the parks. You may just have to pull them out when needed.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Will be watching closely since we will be there in late May/early June. It could be quite the learning curve for first timers like ourselves. Glad I follow this board!

I was thinking the same thing. We'll be there the first week of June, and it sounds like they might still be in the 'working out the kinks' phase at that point.

What's the betting that Disney want these things to become the next Vinylmation, with special collectible and limited-edition versions being released before too long?

Andre

My thoughts exactly! Any chance to make someone buy more (Although, I'll totally be suckered into that group if the basic color they automatically send you is 'ugly.' )

 

[916chipndale]

You will still be able to opt for a traditional-style plastic keycard if you prefer (which will also need to be RFID-enabled so you can still use it to pay, get into parks, etc).

Andre

That's good to hear, I just don't want to keep taking on/off a wristband.

 

[MomAndrea]

Yes. You do not have to sleep with them on. From my understanding you dont have to wear them all the time in the parks. You may just have to pull them out when needed.

Thank you!

 

[magrudersmakes3]

I'm an AP holder and would love to try the bands! Does POR now have the door locks where you just tap it with the card?

The other question I had has to do with me flipping through the Unofficial Guide to WDW last night. It said that the river view rooms in PP look at the river, but also the parking lot on the other side. Is this an exaggeration? Are there at least some trees/vegetation between the river and the parking lot?

I was at POP and POR last weekend and they both have the RFID doors.

 

[pens4821]

Just wanted to get some thoughts on something, and this is just preliminary anyway. We're waiting to see if free dining is offered or not (last week of August). We're planning on staying in 2 value rooms, but if rumors are true and fd is only for mod/deluxe, just wondering what the thoughts are for our situation.

There will be 4 adults and 1 child. I've asked/been told a twin air mattress would fit in a POR, so that isn't an issue. My question is, is it worth it for FD to be cramped in a room? The child is small (of course) but the rest of us are bigger than average (height and weight). I don't see us sitting in the room much, but I just don't know about all of us being stuck in a hotel room together.

I wouldn't pay for the dining plan, but doing the math is just seems like an amazing deal when free. Seems like all of us being in the room together would be so worth it. And really, how much time are we going to spend in the room?

I know there are other options, but we are on a low budget. We can't afford to be spending 400/night to get 2 mod rooms, so that's out of the question.

Like I said, this may not even matter as the values may be in fd (or they may not even offer it). Just curious to get opinions early.

 

[piratemamaof3]

booked our stay to go back to POR in Oct. DH and I stayed here years ago before the kids and are excited to go back. If my parents decide to join us we will decide if we want to stay POR (Since we need it for 5) or switch to POFQ

 

[Robbi]

Hi y'all. We're staying in a Royal Room River view in April. Is there a building we should request that is closer to the food court/main building? Thanks!

 

[OHDanceMom73]

Any updated pics? We're going in Sept. First time at this resort, really excited!!

 

[Mom2six]

Just wanted to get some thoughts on something, and this is just preliminary anyway. We're waiting to see if free dining is offered or not (last week of August). We're planning on staying in 2 value rooms, but if rumors are true and fd is only for mod/deluxe, just wondering what the thoughts are for our situation.

There will be 4 adults and 1 child. I've asked/been told a twin air mattress would fit in a POR, so that isn't an issue. My question is, is it worth it for FD to be cramped in a room? The child is small (of course) but the rest of us are bigger than average (height and weight). I don't see us sitting in the room much, but I just don't know about all of us being stuck in a hotel room together.

I wouldn't pay for the dining plan, but doing the math is just seems like an amazing deal when free. Seems like all of us being in the room together would be so worth it. And really, how much time are we going to spend in the room?

I know there are other options, but we are on a low budget. We can't afford to be spending 400/night to get 2 mod rooms, so that's out of the question.

Like I said, this may not even matter as the values may be in fd (or they may not even offer it). Just curious to get opinions early.

First of all, it depends on the size of the child, but in the alligator bayou rooms there is a murphy bed. I've heard it is not a full size bed. However, there is also not even as much storage room as normal in the room because of the murphy bed.

We stayed in 2 rooms at POFQ with 9 people. It was tight but that was with my DH, my six children and my sister. So, I would say that it in part depends on how comfortable you are with sharing with the other two adults. Can you work together to get ready around one bathroom?

It can take flexibility and knowing each other's habits/routine pretty well. How long will each adult take to get ready to go and is one willing to get up earlier to be first and out of the way? How many will shower at night and how many in the morning? Is it the habit of one adult to stay up watching tv before going to sleep and not the others? Is everyone on the same page with getting up for rope drop or staying up for EMH?

If you can work out these types of issues without bickering or hard feelings, then it may be worth it. But free dining would not be worth it if the result is a miserable time and fighting/hurt feelings.